How the novel coronavirus outbreak is impacting Montreal event planners

Montreal event planners say the novel coronavirus outbreak is hitting them hard, with bans on large gatherings leading to many cancellations.

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One of the industries hit hardest and earliest by the novel coronavirus outbreak has been the event-planning industry, as gatherings of more than 250 people have been banned by the Quebec government for over a week.

Further complicating matters is the fact that many insurers are refusing to pay out for cancelled events, both in Montreal and around the world.

After the popular creative industry conference South by Southwest in Texas was cancelled earlier this month, organizers there made headlines when it was revealed their insurance policy didn’t cover cancellation due to health concerns.

Di Minno said many in Montreal are finding the same nasty surprise.

“Insurance companies are not stepping in at all. We’ve inquired, and there’s no compensation at the moment,” he said.

Another big question mark that continues to hang over the industry, Di Minno says, is what will happen after society starts to get back to normal once the outbreak has passed.

“Most people are thinking of rescheduling, but the thing is that soon, it’ll be the busy season,” Di Minno explained, referring to the early summer period when many people hold weddings. “And can you host these people then?”